Founded in 2005, the international law firm DLA Piper has offices in more than 40 countries. In Denmark the firm operates out of its Copenhagen and Aarhus offices.
Focusses / specialisms
The banking and finance team is well regarded for its strong real estate, acquisition and structured finance offerings. In this space the firm often acts for pension fund investors and consortiums.
The capital markets team is experienced on the sell and buy side of debt, securitisation and equity deals.
In M&A the firm is strengthened by its global footprint and often works on cross-border transactions. The firm handles a large volume of mid-market deals and stands out for its work within private equity.
The projects team is equally competent in supporting social infrastructure and transportation projects as it is projects within the energy and mining sphere.
The restructuring and insolvency team handles a wide range of matters including bankruptcies, restructuring and liquidations. It works with many of the important Danish banks and institutions.
Key clients
Notable clients include AP Møller Maersk, Abry Partners, Bactiquant, Danske Bank, DSV, Pension Danmark, Merlin Entertainments, Initiator Pharma, Carlsberg Group, Citibank, Landesbank Hessen-Thüringen Girozentrale (Helaba), Lundbeck Foundation, HSBC, Nordic Eye, Nutreco International, Ørsted, PKA, Re-Match Holding, Viabill, TriplePoint Capital and Bank of New York Mellon.
Research period review: 33rd edition (2023/2024)
DLA Piper’s banking and finance team was active in the securitisation space, having acted on behalf of both issuers and investors in a plethora of domestic and international transactions. The firm was also visible in project finance, acquisition finance and asset finance.
In equity capital markets, the firm advised on several IPO transactions, often for the issuer, including the Re-Match Holding Nasdaq IPO.
In regulatory work the firm was actively involved in providing advice to its core regulated financial institution client base.
In M&A the firm is noted for its involvement in several internationally recognised deals, as well as large deals for key players in the local banking and financial services market. The firm’s M&A team continued to be visible in private equity, assisting key private equity firms in the Danish and Nordic market.
In project development the firm demonstrated high capabilities in supporting all aspects of large projects in energy and infrastructure in Denmark.
The firm completed a high volume of deals in restructuring and insolvency, assisting both businesses and financial institutions.
Deal highlights: 33rd edition (2023/2024)
Activum €250 million acquisition financing
Bactiquant Nasdaq IPO
Global TIP Holdings Two €1.6 billion securitisation
Lundbeck Foundation acquisition of a 25% share stake in Cresco Capital services
PKA €671 million strategic investment in Morrow batteries
Re-Match Holding Nasdaq IPO
Viabill $120 million securitisation
Client feedback: 33rd edition (2023/2024)
Insolvency
"DLAP is very knowledgeable in insurance law and insolvency law issues. They come up with new ideas as to how to approach an issue."
M&A
"The DLA team provides leading edge M&A transaction advisory, proactive and readily available with short notice. Lead partner has become our trusted adviser not only in the M&A deal but also when faced with other legal matters."
"Very customer-orientated, the process and documents very well structured."
PPP/PFI
"Solid local knowledge which they were able to translate efficiently to cross-border lender."
Private equity
"Very hands-on, always available. And for this particular assignment it is key that they have a presence in other relevant jurisdictions."
Project finance
"Very business and result-orientated."
"Good professionalism and fast."
Peter Hedegaard Knudsen
"Peter is very DLAP - he is very knowledgeable and understands the issues the client encounters. He has a great personality and is always positive."
Nicholas Lerche-Gredal
"Strong legal skills in general and in particular within M&A. Proactive, good energy, hands-on in assignment execution (you know you are in safe hands with Nicholas). On general client relationship, the strong point of Nicholas is that he is good at taking a holistic perspective on issues while not losing out on the details."
"Very good and wide legal know-how, excellent coordination with other advisers, very well structured."
John Svenson
"Focused on tackling problems at hand and always available. As a legal practitioner he is very skilled on a technical level as I have experienced on a very complex matter for us."
Stefan Westh Wiencken
"Hard-working, reliable, meets deadline – good at communicating and keeping client updated during engagement and assignment execution. Comes across as a very capable young man with a likeable personality. Does not hold back on taking work on his shoulders."
